Spanish regulator to limit football TV rights

The Spanish Competition Authorities have proposed to limit to three years (until 2012) the current contracts for football TV rights in a move to avoid dominant positions in the a market that generates around E1 billon a year.

The measure would directly affect Mediapro, shareholder in La Sexta, that holds the majority of the Spanish football TV rights until 2014, with contracts in force with 33 out of 42 football teams in the Spanish Premier and second Division Leagues, among them Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The Competition’s move takes place when Mediapro and Prisa, owner of Sogecable, are negotiating a possible merger including commercial channels Cuatro and La Sexta.